Welcome to "Every Day with Christ." This is a space to share thoughts and insights about following Christ in everyday life. I will post Bible verses, personal experiences, and pictures. I hope that you will be inspired to share stories of how Christ is working in your everyday life.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Billy Graham's Letter Hits Responsive Chord

In America, television channels are filled with political advertisements,
debates, as well as arguments and attacks. This is a high-stakes election, but the stakes go
beyond electing the president, senators, representatives, and judges. In many states voters will decide on issues that go to the moral fabric of America. For
example, on the Washington state ballot, there is a referendum for voters to retain or overturn the legalization of gay marriage—a measure passed by the Washington-state
legislature months ago. In other states, voters will decide whether or not to
legalize the use of marijuana. At every turn, America’s longstanding moral and
ethical cornerstones seem to be crumbling. The upcoming election simply shines a spotlight on
continuing economic corruption and uncontrolled spending, immorality, secular
humanism, and attacks on religious freedom.

My Heart Aches for America

Billy Graham, the great evangelist, wrote a letter July
(2012) decrying the downward spiral of America. The letter titled, My Heart Aches for America,
compares modern-day America with Sodom and Gomorrah and Nineveh. Dr. Graham
says, “Yet the farther we get from God, the more the world spirals out of
control."

Dr. Graham continues by writing, "My heart aches for
American and its deceived people. The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God
of mercy, and He responds to repentance. In Jonah’s day, Nineveh was the lone
world superpower—wealthy, unconcerned, and self-centered. When the Prophet
Jonah finally traveled to Nineveh and proclaimed God’s warning, people heard it
and repented.

"I believe the same thing can happen once again, this time
in our nation."

Dr. Graham, his son Franklin Graham, and the Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association (BGEA), have launched prayer and witnessing outreach
programs that are currently underway. Dubbed My Hope with Billy Graham,
this grass-roots initiative begins with prayer and training so that by November
2013, Christians across the United States and Canada are prepared to help bring the unsaved
to Christ.

For those who sign up to participate, they identify and begin praying for friends and family. Then the friends
and family are invited into homes where they watch a special program with
messages from Dr. Graham. The hosts share how they found Jesus Christ and how
He changed their life. And finally, friends and family are invited to accept Jesus
as their Savior. The timeline for the initiative is detailed on the My Hope Web site. You can sign up as an individual, or churches can sign up.
Participants are trained and have access to resources. The initiative culminates
the week of Nov. 7, 2013, to coincide with Dr. Graham’s 95th birthday.

Pray for Our Nation

In the shorter term, BGEA and other organizations have
called Christians to nationwide prayer in advance of the upcoming elections. This
call to prayer rests on the promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV), "If my people
who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and
turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive
their sin and will heal their land."

Let's Join Together Across the World in Prayer

America is not alone in facing moral decline. Now
is the time for prayer regardless of where you live. Although the Billy Graham
initiative focuses on America, you can get together with your brothers and
sisters in Christ and pray for your country. Together, let’s pray for
worldwide revival.

Right now, satan must be a happy man. The very principles
that guided America to greatness are in danger of being discarded as antiquated
thinking. But God is the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His thinking,
His commands will never be antiquated. When men and women of the world choose to
ignore Him and what He has already judged to be sinful and abominable, then we
can expect the blessing of the Lord to be lifted from us.

As for me, I pray that this nation and
the nations of the world will repent and turn or return to the Lord. Please join me in that prayer.

To Accept Jesus as Your Savior

There is only one way to gain life-changing joy and peace in your life, and that is by accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior. To accept Christ as your Savior, pray this prayer.
“Lord, I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died for my sins on the cross and rose from the grave. I turn away from my sins. I ask You to forgive me and to be my Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer, the next step is to find a Christian church and tell the pastor about your faith in Jesus. The church can guide you through baptism and your joyous growth in Christ.

Contact

Our Hope Is in Him

(c) Charlotte Lowrie

An Invitation to Contribute

If you have experiences from your walk with Christ that you'd like to share, please e-mail me your story. I can then post your text. All posts and articles are reviewed to ensure appropriateness for this forum. You can e-mail me at charlotte@everydaywithchrist.com.

John 8: 12 (NIV)

"...I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Live the Resurrection!

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Psalm 84:10-11 (NIV)

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."

About Me

Matthew 28: 19-20 (NIV)

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."